Inter Milan Secures Israeli Winger Anan Khalaily in Record €25 Million Deal

Inter Milan completed the largest transfer in Israeli football history by signing 21-year-old Israeli winger Anan Khalaily from Union Saint-Gilloise for €25 million. The deal was finalized on July 9, 2026, with Khalaily set to undergo medical tests over the weekend and be officially presented early next week. Italian media detailed the behind-the-scenes negotiations and strategic factors leading to the transfer.

The move was driven by Inter's need to fill the right wing/right-back position after Denzel Dumfries transferred to Real Madrid and Luis Henrique was rumored to be moving to Bournemouth. Inter had unsuccessfully pursued João Cancelo and Ivan Perišić earlier in the year. Khalaily was viewed as a young talent with high growth potential, capable of surpassing Dumfries. Despite interest from several clubs, including English teams, Khalaily insisted on joining Inter and even missed preseason training with Saint-Gilloise to push for the transfer.

Italian outlets highlighted Khalaily's versatility, noting he began as a right-back but developed into a right winger with strong attacking abilities, fitting Inter's tactical needs. The club's direct communication with Khalaily and his agent, bypassing intermediaries, was key to securing the deal. Inter also agreed to pay Maccabi Haifa 15% of future transfer fees, a decisive factor in concluding the complex negotiations.

Sportitalia emphasized the crucial role of Inter coach Christian Cibo, who personally convinced Khalaily that he was the club's chosen player for the position. The Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise had initially considered a deal with Napoli, but it never materialized into a satisfactory offer. The agreement with Inter is for five years, with Khalaily earning €2.2 million annually. The transfer marks a significant milestone for Israeli football and Inter Milan's strategic squad building.